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Church21 IS GOING INTO A NEW PHASE!
Church21 is gong into a new phase and a new website is under construction. Please come back and check it out again in a few months time.
Posted on 13 Feb 13
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Church21 Team Together Day - The Emmaus Conference Centre
Representatives from 12 parishes gathered together on Saturday 12th February 2011 for the Church21 Team Together Day. This was the first official event for the parishes that have signed up for the third programme of parish development. The day was about getting to know one another and laying out the foundations for the Church21 journey.
The day was packed with good speakers starting with Paul Hoey giving participants an understanding of the Church21 process. The process strives to help parishes to develop a clearer vision of what God wants each parish to be and to do for Him in our rapidly changing world and then to enable each parish to take steps to turn that vision into reality. The first building block of the Church21 programme is the preparation course which was introduced to parishes to give them an idea of what the course should do and how it can be used by parishes. Each parish received a copy of the preparation course but it is also available to download from the website.
Bishop Ken Good gave a biblical picture of an expectant church with the four ‘A’s – affirmation, allegation, agreement and assurance. David Thompson gave a PowerPoint presentation on “Change we can believe in – what lies at the heart of Church21”. This gave an insight into the steps around change – its about creating awareness, giving understanding, evaluating what we do in terms of new realities uncovered, experimenting in small ways and cementing change. This is less about developing new programmes but more about developing a whole new way of thinking and being in our parishes. It’s a process rather than an event, its learning through experience, taking on new ways of being the church and encouraging new habits, norms and culture.
The facilitation process is a large part of Church21 and Carolyn O’Laoire, a member of the Parish Development Working Group Committee and facilitator, outlined how parishes can make the best use of their facilitators, the role of a facilitator, the parish team’s role and the skills needed for the facilitation process.
The final sessions were on overcoming hurdles that parishes can encounter and the team talk given by Bishop Ken Clarke. The day finished up with time for chat and fellowship over lunch.
Here are some of the participant’s comments:
“A marvellous inspirational day – thank you!”
“Excellent speakers, very worthwhile.”
“A thought provoking day and possibly defining the role that Christ has opened for me.”
Posted on 11 Apr 11
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Twelve Parishes Join Church21 Programme 3
The third Church21 Programme is now underway with twelve parishes joining the process. Whilst not every diocese is represented, we are delighted to be working with a diverse group of churches. It is our prayer that as these parishes and their facilitators journey together, they will be enriched by each others’ experiences and together discover God’s vision for their parish and community.
Clogher
- Cleenish
- Mullaghdun
Connor
- St. Michael’s, Belfast
Cork
- Bandon Union
- Carrigaline Union
Down and Dromore
- Drumgath and Drumgooland
Dublin and Glendalough
- Killiskey
- Tullow
Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh
- Kinawley and Holy Trinity
Meath and Kildare
- Mountmellick
- St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trim
- Tullamore Union
Posted on 4 Apr 11
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Church21 Taster Day
Delegates from 13 parishes across Ireland gathered in Dublin on Saturday 6th November 2010 to hear presentations about the Church21 programme. The day was presented by Paul Hoey, Chairman of the working group and Bishop Ken Clarke. It started with a Biblical Picture of a Developing Church which was presented by Bishop Ken Clarke. Paul Hoey outlined the stages of Church21 and what is involved in the process.
One of the parishes who had taken part in the previous Church21 programme, Derg & Termonamongan, shared their experiences of their Church21 journey. This gave parishes a real insight as to what can be achieved and gave them time for discussion and questions.
Applications for the third programme must be with the diocesan Bishops by Friday 3 December and forms may be obtained from the administrator by emailing brigid@church21.org
Posted on 24 Nov 10
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Church21 Follow Up Day
Over 80 people gathered in All Hallows College on Saturday 19th June for the Church21 Follow up day. The aim of the day was to give participants the motivation to keep moving ahead and also to share some of the progress that has been made already, whether big or small.
Rev Adrian Wilkinson, rector of Douglas Parish, from the first Church21 programme, shared about life after Church21 and how they’ve been able to continue journeying forward – the steps the parish has taken and achieved, the set backs and the lasting effect of Church21.
Parishes brought along their ‘road signs’ sharing their thoughts on where they are on their journey and the steps it has taken to get there. This exercise created a great buzz and lots of discussion between parishes. It was a chance to share ideas, swap resources and encourage each other. It was also an opportunity to share something of their journey with each other, in a spirit of encouragement rather than competition. But above all, an opportunity to come together to continue to discern the way ahead with God.
Some consideration was given on how to overcome obstacles that can block a parish’s spiritual development including exercises to encourage continuing motivation within parishes. Finally, some resource ideas were shared varying from websites to books to conferences. The day finished up with time for fellowship and chat over lunch.
Here are some of the participant’s comments:
It was so helpful to exchange views and ideas with other parishes.
Encouraging discovering many others faced similar issues and were only taking small steps.
This programme has lit a candle in our parishes, we pray God will enable us to keep it burning brightly.
Church21 has brought me back to church by getting involved, I feel more a part of the church and want to face the challenges.
Posted on 19 Jun 10
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Church21 Newsletter
If you haven’t already seen a copy, you can download the latest issue of the Church21 newsletter by clicking the following link:
Posted on 16 Dec 09
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